Globecom Tower
Encyclopedia
Globecom Tower is a 378.25 metre (1241 ft) tall guyed mast
for military longwave
transmission at Northmountain on Thule Air Base
on Greenland
. Globecom Tower, whose design is similar to that of Forestport Tower
, is a guyed lattice steel tower with a triangular cross section (sidelength: 4.75 metres), which is anchored in three levels. It is designed as a mast radiator
insulated against the ground and equipped with an elevator running up to a height of 360 metres.
Globecom Tower was completed in 1954. It was, at completion, the tallest man-made structure outside of the United States and the third tallest in the world after KWTV Mast
in Oklahoma City
and Empire State Building
. A great difficulty at its construction was that the ground on which it was built is permanently frozen.
Globecom Tower was used for transmitting military telex
messages to Goose Bay, Canada
, on the longwave frequency 68.9 kHz with a power of 50 kW under the callsign XPH.
In 2003, these transmissions were terminated. Globecom Tower is still standing, unused.
Guyed mast
A guyed mast is a tall thin vertical structure that receives support from guy lines.Guyed masts are frequently used for radio masts. The mast can either support aerials mounted at its top, or the entire structure itself can function as an antenna ; this is called a mast radiator...
for military longwave
Longwave
In radio, longwave refers to parts of radio spectrum with relatively long wavelengths. The term is a historic one dating from the early 20th century, when the radio spectrum was considered to consist of long, medium and short wavelengths...
transmission at Northmountain on Thule Air Base
Thule Air Base
Thule Air Base or Thule Air Base/Pituffik Airport , is the United States Air Force's northernmost base, located north of the Arctic Circle and from the North Pole on the northwest side of the island of Greenland. It is approximately east of the North Magnetic Pole.-Overview:Thule Air Base is the...
on Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
. Globecom Tower, whose design is similar to that of Forestport Tower
Forestport Tower
Forestport Tower was a guyed, steel tower, insulated from the earth, so that the entire structure was used to radiate electromagnetic waves in the VLF and LF bands. The tower was located near Forestport in Oneida County, New York, United States. Forestport Tower was built in 1950...
, is a guyed lattice steel tower with a triangular cross section (sidelength: 4.75 metres), which is anchored in three levels. It is designed as a mast radiator
Mast radiator
A mast radiator is a radio mast or tower in which the whole structure itself functions as an antenna. This design is commonly used for transmitting antennas operating at low frequencies, in the VLF, LF and MF ranges, in particular those used for AM broadcasting. The metal mast is electrically...
insulated against the ground and equipped with an elevator running up to a height of 360 metres.
Globecom Tower was completed in 1954. It was, at completion, the tallest man-made structure outside of the United States and the third tallest in the world after KWTV Mast
Griffin Television Tower Oklahoma
Griffin Television Tower Oklahoma is a 480.5 meter high guy-wired aerial mast for the transmission of FM radio and television programs in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA built in 1954...
in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
and Empire State Building
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
. A great difficulty at its construction was that the ground on which it was built is permanently frozen.
Globecom Tower was used for transmitting military telex
Telex
Telex may refer to:* Telex , , a communications network** Teleprinter, the device used on the above network* Telex , a Belgian pop group...
messages to Goose Bay, Canada
CFB Goose Bay
Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay , is a Canadian Forces Base located in the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador....
, on the longwave frequency 68.9 kHz with a power of 50 kW under the callsign XPH.
In 2003, these transmissions were terminated. Globecom Tower is still standing, unused.
Literature
- Turmbauwerke, Bauverlag GmbH, Wiesbaden (Deutschland), Germany, 1966 (there mentioned as "Funkmast in der Arktis")
External links
- http://www.thuleforum.com/north_mountain.htm
- http://www.skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?b870